Ole Miss added a major defensive piece to its 2022 recruiting class as four-star linebacker Jaron Willis committed to the Rebels live on CBS Sports HQ. Willis, a product of Lee County High School in Leesburg, Georgia, selected the Rebels over Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh.
“I’m looking for a place who can compete in championships, who can help me grow as a complete player and complete man outside of school and take my talents to the next level after college,” Willis told 247Sports’ Steve Wilftong earlier this month.
Willis ranks as the No. 17 linebacker and No. 170 overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. The 247Sports Crystal Ball is trending towards a commitment to Ole Miss, where he took an official visit in October and has visited unofficially “a couple other times,” per 247Sports.
His addition pushes Ole Miss to No. 19 in the 247Sports team rankings. Willis is the highest-ranked recruit in the Rebels’ 2022 recruiting class and a potential game-changer on the defensive side of the ball.
247Sports recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins writes that the Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County linebacker is “one of the more intriguing defenders in the Peach State for the 2022 cycle given how he moves like a safety but looks — and hits — like a linebacker.”
A tweener of sorts that has spent much of his high school career lined up at safety, but is likely to transition into a more traditional linebacker role at the next level given how he’s built. Owns smooth redirection skills and always seems to be flowing towards the football. Instinctive player at this stage in his development that’s quick to read and react. Strikes with authority, exploding through his target. Takes fast angles downhill. Straight-line speed allows him to close gaps and make stops outside the hashes. Excels in coverage and is capable of keeping pace with tight ends, running backs and even some slot receivers. Doesn’t have much experience filling gaps, but is an effective blitzer that gets home more times than not. Will need to learn how to stack and shed at the next level, but brash style of play suggests he won’t shy away from trench warfare.
